Photo Credit – NYRB Rob Tringali
NYCFC fans may have lit up the Empire State Building blue in a twitter voting competition, but it was the NY Red Bulls faithful that walked out of Yankee Stadium with the real win, as Jesse Marsch’s men beat their city rivals 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
The second installment of New York City’s derby was awaited with great anticipation; after a May match up across the Hudson at Red Bull Arena, it was now NYCFC’s turn to host the Derby, the first in their temporary home in the Bronx. A sold out crowd filled the seats in the oddly shaped stadium(by soccer standards) hoping to witness a win by their team.
As expected, NYCFC came out strong and fast, being the home team playing in front of your fans, it was only normal that the men in sky blue would take full initiative of the match pushing the Red Bulls into their half. The initial push would eventually reward Kreis’ men as they were able to get on the scoreboard in the 6th minute courtesy of McNamara. The West Nyack native found room at the far side of the box, after an insistence play from NYFC, and was able to put a close range shot past Luis Robles, bringing the crowd into ecstasy.
It was a perfect start for the home team, the Red Bulls on the other hand, were having problems holding possession, and when they were causing turnovers, and winning the ball back, the Red Bulls weren’t making the best decision to keep possession, and alleviate some of the NYCFC pressure. Balouchi would once again bring danger to the Red Bulls, with a curling placed shot, that just went wide of Roble’s goal in the 7th minute.
The Red Bulls kept their composure, and held steady at in their defensive end, Matt Miazga’s duels with David Villa were quite interesting to watch as youngster seemed unfazed by having to defend the Spanish star, more often than not winning the matchup. NYFC’s initial intensity started to subside, but the crowd continued to be in the game, even more so, after seeing both Frank Lampard, and Andrea Pirlo on the Jumbotron in center field. The reaction to Lampard and Pirlo may have been the high point of the night for NYCFC, as the momentum of the game slowly shifted to the team from across the river.
The Red Bulls were being afforded more space, and added good passing decisions to their offensive transitions. NYCFC was seeing their early dominance fade, and as if that wasn’t enough, they were forced to make an early substitution when Wingert collided with Abang just inside NYCFC’s box. A tough break for NYCFC, losing the only player who has started every game for this team. Brovsky would take his place in the 24th minute. The Red Bulls kept plugging away, and were gradually appearing in NYCFC’s final third with more frequency.
Mark Geiger blew for halftime, and the Red Bulls were happy with the momentum shift. Jason Kreis, however, knew his team was losing key battles all over the pitch, and needed to send a message to his team at half time. Jesse Marsch on the other hand, must have been happy with how his team finished the half. The Red Bull’s midfield had control of the game, Kljestan was playing especially well, and being the key man for the Red Bulls. Marsch later attributed Kljestan’s playing to a strong desire to redeem himself, following his ejection against Vancouver.
Jesse Marsch made one change at the half, Perrinelle came in for Zubar, as the Red Bulls picked up exactly where they left off. NYCFC couldn’t find solutions to the Red Bull’s dominance, and Wright-Phillips would tie the game in the 47th minute after a good play, and assist by Kljestan. BWP, who started on the left for the second game in a row, found himself with space in the heart of the box, a well timed volley was enough to beat Saunders. It was the culminating of the Red Bull’s playing crescendo, unfortunately for NYCFC it wouldn’t stop there as Duvall would grab the go ahead goal two minutes later. Abang set up Duvall with a soft header after a Mike Grella cross, Duvall blasted the ball past Saunders, who was helpless to stop the shot.
Sensing he needed to shake things up, Jason Kreis introduced Poku for Balouchi in the 56th minute, but the Red Bulls continued their dominance. BWP saw the post deny him of the Red Bulls’ third goal, and 8 minutes later it was Saunders who denied BWP after the Red Bulls’ leading scorer found himself one on one with NYCFC’s goaltender.
Poku’s introduction into the game gave NYCFC a breath of fresh air, but it was the Red Bulls who continued to be on top. Sal Zizzo made his way into the game for Abang in the 67th minute, and BWP went back to his familiar position at center forward. Jason Kreis would make his last substitution 3 minutes later when Calle came in for Brovsky hoping to add more verticality to the left wing, but the Red Bulls looked to be in cruise control and in complete control of the game.
Matt Miazga would finally silence the home crowd for good in the 70th minute to put the game out of reach. The 19 year old found himself at the end of a Kljestan corner kick, went up and headed in the Red Bull’s third goal at the far post. Miazga who had and excellent game defensively, put the cherry on top of his performance with the goal, his first with a Red Bulls’ jersey. His goal celebration included an imaginary bat swing and ball watch to where the Red Bull fans were, a clear jab at the home teams’ playing digs.
Poku would still threaten to reduce the scoreline in the 74th minute, but Robles responded with the save of the night. Perhaps the only highlight of the second half for NYCFC. The Red Bulls could have increased their lead as the newly introduced Manolo saw his first touch of the game denied by the post once again. Mark Geiger would blow for full time minutes later, much to delight of both Red Bulls players, staff and traveling support.
NYCFC have two shiny legends ready to put on the sky blue Jersey up in the Bronx, and that will automatically make them a better team, but whether it makes NYCFC a contender remains to be seen. NYCFC’s issues go deeper than a world class center midfield pairing, that may, or may not be able to disguise this teams’ deficiencies.
On the other side of the river, the Red Bulls continue to grow, but also have their own challenges, specifically with depth. July 8th is right around the corner, and if the Red Bulls want to be contenders, and not just a playoff team, they will need to improve their team. A star DP may not be the solution to making the Red Bulls contenders, but a couple surgical acquisitions may very well do the trick.
The Red Bulls will win the season series regardless of what happens back at Red Bull Arena in August when the teams will play for a third time. In the meantime, the Red Bulls will now face the NY Cosmos this Wednesday in US Open Cup play. The Cosmos beat NYCFC to reach this stage, and may very well have a word to say when it comes to bragging rights in NY.
Alfredo Fumacas @Talkingtodadoll
